Archive for the ‘Fly In Fishing Trips’ Category
Analysis Of Some Of The Choicest Fly Fishing Outings In Alaska
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips on the November 9, 2008
For an exciting overview of some of Alaska’s most popular lodges and fishing tours, read on.
Ultima Thule Lodge (ultimathulelodge.com)
Featured in the National Geographic’s Ultimate Alaska issue, Ultima Thule Lodge is renowned for its luxury service, knowledgeable staff and experienced bush pilots. The lodge is fly-in only and located in the expansive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Their bush pilots can arrange any type of guided fishing experiences, including fly fishing in Moose Valley, an area known for its fantastic fishing.
By offering alternative day trips and other activities, Ultima Thule Lodge has set itself apart from the competition. Whether it’s a corporate retreat or family fishing trip, guests can choose between hiking remote glaciers, rafting the rapids or spending the day fishing.
However, if you and your group want a more rustic or self-catered experience, you may want to look elsewhere. Ultima Thule is known for luxury, not wilderness expeditions.
Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge (sadiecove.com)
Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge is situated right in the middle of the beautiful Kachemak Bay, an area known for its fishing. The eco-lodge uses wind, hydro and solar power, and prides itself on being one of the greenest hotels in the country. Its amazing systems and accommodations have been featured in National Geographic, Forbes’ Traveler, the Discovery Channel, ESPN, the Fishing Network and more.
They arrange everything from photo safaris to fully customized Alaska fly fishing trips, while pampering guests with an in-house chef, on-site sauna and incredible scenery. Despite the amenities and commitment to sustainability, the rates at Sadie Cove are fairly reasonable. They start at about $400 per night per adult for an all-inclusive stay - meaning three meals a day, use of lodge facilities, a private cabin, and fishing equipment. However, private fishing charters or fly-ins do cost extra.
Drifter’s Lodge on the Kenai River (907-595-5555)
If you’re looking for a more rustic experience that centers it attention almost exclusively on fly fishing, Drifter’s Lodge is a great choice. The lodge offers a more down-to-earth Alaskan experience and has been featured in National Geographic, the Lonely Planet and Time magazine. For fly fishing, their draw is on the fall season when the trout are at their peak.
The lodge has on-staff guides who know the Kenai River, know the fish patterns and are able to assist you to find great fishing locations and choose the best flies and casting techniques to catch your fish. They focus on techniques for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden trout and Alaska salmon, and are able to plan some of the best Alaska fly fishing trips available.
Fishing Trip Alaska: Arranging An Enjoyable Fishing Expedition In Alaska
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips on the August 24, 2008
If you’re planning a fishing trip, Alaska is probably the best place in the world. The Halibut are massive, the salmon gigantic and the trout quite plentiful. For trophy-sized catches, there’s no place like it anywhere in the world. So, read on for some great tips and tricks that will help make your Alaskan fishing trip a success.
Make Your Reservations Early
Between the months of June and September - the prime fishing season - Alaska sees over a million tourists. That means the hotels in Juneau won’t have vacancies, the charters will be booked and your preferred fishing lodge may already be full. So, start planning now and book your trip well in advance.
Hire an Experienced Guide
Going it alone on your first Alaskan fishing trip is not recommended. A local guide will know where the best spots are, what flies or lures will work and how to catch the biggest fish. Their experience and knowledge of the area is invaluable, particularly for a first-timer.
For a list of recommended guides or companies, you can contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a travel company like Sport Fishing Alaska (1-888-552-8674) who organize expeditions based on budget, or trust your lodge to provide you with an experienced, on-site guide.
Know When to Go
While the fish are plentiful in Alaska, they’re also migratory. So, if you’re planning a fishing vacation, Alaska residents recommend knowing when and where to go. The prime fishing and tourism season is during the summer - June to September - but each location and lodge will have a different prime month or even prime week. So, before you book, check with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for their updated data on fish seasons.
Alternatively, a lot of anglers and fly fishers are starting to talk about the autumn as Alaska’s secret season. Many trout species come in the fall, and fishers don’t have to fight for spots or reservations as they enjoy some of the best fishing of the year.
Pack Accordingly
When it comes to packing for a fishing trip, Alaska residents will remind you that you need to be prepared for anything - blistering sun, pouring rain or cold nights. To block the sun, stay warm and fight dampness, you should pack clothes that can be easily layered and will dry quickly if needed. Remember to also pack sunglasses, fishing equipment, sunblock, bug spray, a camera and a small survival kit.
Fishing Charters: What You Need To Be Aware Of To Prepare For Your Excursion
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips on the August 24, 2008
It is important that every human being finds an opportunity to relax and unwind from the pressures of everyday life. Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the world, and there are hundreds of thousands of anglers enjoying the sport every day.
For almost every angler there is a type of fish. Many people choose to only fish for one or two species, as they enjoy the skill development hunting that type of fish entails. All fish are different and have different habits. This is one reason that makes fishing so unique.
Some fishermen enjoy setting off on their own during their free time to see what the lakes and rivers offer. Others, however, prefer a planned fishing charter.
Fishing charters are the ideal adventure if you don’t have all the equipment needed to fish but would like to all the same. Fishing charters are not all the same though. And it is important to consider the following points before doing so.
1. Cost of the Charter
You will want to collect enough information to gain a good idea of what you get for your money. What is included in the price? What equipment will the charter provide?
If there is a payment or deposit needed before setting off on the trip, how much is it and is it refundable if you have a change of plans?
Do their costs seem reasonable to you? If so, great; if not, look elsewhere for another charter that is more suitable. Remember it is up to you to schedule the trip that you want.
2. The Length of Each Charter Trip
You should determine how long the fishing trips will last. Many captains will allow people to do extra fishing before docking. Does this cost any extra? If you are not happy with the answer, say so.
Also, if the time frame or duration on the water is liable to change, you need to know in advance. Some charters even charge by the minute. Since you are the person paying for the time, it is crucial you know what you are getting.
3. The Captain
Find out information that is available about the captain. What chartered fishing experience does he have? The more experienced he is, the more you will likely get out of your trip. Any captain should be more than happy to answer a few questions for you before you decide to opt for his charter.
These few points are very basic. However if you follow through with them, you should have a terrific fishing charter adventure!
Alaska Fly Fishing Trip: Charting A Fulfilling Fly Fishing Trip In Alaska
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips on the August 14, 2008
Trying to plan an Alaska fly fishing trip? Wondering which lodge to book? Trying to decide when to go? Figuring out what to pack? For the answers to these questions and more, read on to learn how to plan a fantastic Alaskan fly fishing trip.
Obtaining a Fishing License
While most lodges or tour companies will arrange to obtain your fishing license for you, you can also order them online right from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. They offer a basic fishing license for out-of-state residents, as well as an additional stamp to go after King Salmon.
When to Go
The best time to go on your Alaska fly fishing vacation is during the summer months, between June and September. However, the specific season for your trip may depend on the type of fish you’re after. For example, the Rainbow Trout are biggest from June to August while the Graylings start jumping in May.
Again, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game offers a basic fish run timing chart or you can contact them by phone for more up-to-date and specific fish run information.
For a non-resident, fishing licenses start at $20 for a day, $35 for two days, $55 for seven days, $80 for fourteen days and $145 for a full year. However, non-resident military personnel only pay $24 for a full year.
Setting Up Your Charter or Lodge
If you’re going to Alaska for fishing, you should book at a fishing lodge or with an experienced fishing tour company. Areas like Bristol Bay and the Kenai River have hundreds of lodges from which to choose, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time means you could really miss out.
The bulk of Alaska’s fish population is migratory, meaning you need to be where the fish are. That said, if you don’t book ahead, you could find the right place and time fully booked up.
Frommer’s travel guide recommends booking your lodges and charters through a local travel company. Their choice? Sport Fishing Alaska in Anchorage (1-888-552-8674). The company is run by a couple, Sheary and Larry Suiter.
Basically, for a small advance fee of $95, they’ll plan a full Alaska fly fishing trip for you that’s catered to your budget and will put you exactly where the fishing is hot.
A fishing expedition in Alaska is one of the most thrilling adventures a true angler will ever experience. Because for many it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you sure don’t want to lose time spent on planning the trip after you’ve already arrived at your destination. Taking advantage of some of the services mentioned above will help to ensure you are able make best use of your precious time on the water.
Alaska Salmon Fly Fishing…woow!!
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips on the February 21, 2008
Salmon fly fishing in Alaska? Why?
First of all, the aerobatics salmon performs are really an eye-catcher. They are good players and they are excellent hunters, too. This makes of angling in Alaska THE spot to go to.
Second, Alaska is known as one of the most popular areas for salmon gatherings, and it is outstanding for fishing trips. This is in part due to the extreme tides along the Northern West Coast and the gush of ocean currents that create an environment ideal for the breeding of thousands of baitfish. Where there is lot of baitfish, there is a lot of salmon.
It is also known as one of the best places to go to catch a giant King Salmon, the largest specie of salmon fish.
Still thinking about taking the trip? Keep reading…
Within Alaska you can find some hidden unexploited fly fishing places with excellent conditions, far from civilization and great potential for both, experts and novice.
So where to go? Kenai River – A very nice place, especially below Skilak Lake. Imagine yourself sitting in a boat floating up the river and fishing back down with your favorite fly fishing rod at your hand.
Some people prefer to spend the whole day in a boat, and some prefer to find the quite place with good potential for salmon fly fishing and stay there. There are uncountable good spots for the later, too.
What else?
Learn more at Fly-Fishing-North-America.com
Fishing At Our Lake House
Posted in Fly In Fishing Trips, Information on Fishing on the August 13, 2007
About five years ago my husband and I purchased a lake home property which had been a dream of ours for many years. It has been everything we hoped for all those years and we would not swap out little bit of paradise for anything. To say it has completely changed our lives is no understatement. Especially when it comes to our leisure time. Instead of all the things we used to do like going to the movies, theater or going out for meals we now spend most of our leisure time boating, fishing or other general outdoor activities including cook outs with friends and family.
I especially enjoy the outdoor entertaining. Our friends and family love coming up to the lake and we love to have them. In fact our house has now become the center of attention for our extended families when it comes to holidays and this is in no small part due to the great fishing at our lake. While we do love having everybody over we came to a decision to keep at least one weekend free every month so that we can enjoy packing up a cooler full of beer and snacks and just have some alone time out on the lake fishing and relaxing.
Fly Fishing Basics
Posted in Bass Fishing, Fly In Fishing Trips on the August 8, 2007
Fly fishing is an old and rather unique method of fishing that is typically used to capture various species of trout in streams and rivers. However, fly fishing can be used to catch many different kinds of fresh water fish, such as bass, salmon, or walleyes. Even some ocean species, such as striped bass and tarpon, can be hooked on the open water using an appropriate fly. In fact, almost any species that feeds on surface-dwelling bugs or other critters may be good targets for anglers using this method. For this reason, fly fishing allows a lot of flexibility in that it can be done from a boat, from the shoreline, or wading out into a stream or river.
Unlike most other methods of fishing that rely on a natural or artificial bait set or pulled at various depths under the water’s surface, fly fishing is typically done at or within a few inches of the surface. Because of this, fly fishing equipment is somewhat different that other types of casting or trolling equipment. The rods, reels, lures, and even the line, are specialized for this type of angling.
Fly fishing rods are usually quite long when compared to other types of fishing rods. They can range from approximately 6 feet to 14 or 15 feet long. The reason for this is that the rod is used to whip the line - and the attached fly - back and forth in the air to get the greatest distance while casting. A longer, more flexible rod also provides more action when reeling the catch in, giving the angler the ability to feel what the fish is doing - and to be honest - making the experience much more fun.
What to Do When Fishing and a Storm is Near
Posted in Bass Fishing, Fishing Tackle, Fishing in Alaska, Fishing in Montana, Fly In Fishing Trips, Freshwater Angling, Information on Fishing, Trout Fishing on the July 4, 2007
I love the phenomena of thunderstorms. Like many of you, I’m fascinated by the crackle of lightning bolts and house shaking thunderclaps. Also, like too many people, I’ve unwisely continued fishing while a storm approached when I should have been long gone to safety.
Lightning strikes kill an average of 80-100 people every year in the U.S., more than hurricanes and tornados combined. A little more than half of victims were engaged in outdoor recreation like fishing or boating. Ten times as many are struck but survive - many with severe, life-long injuries or disabilities.
With the height of lightning season upon us in the summer, it’s time for fishermen to consider lightning safety. According to the National Weather Service, lightning can strike as many as ten miles away from its source cloud. This is why it is recommended to…
Goto Bass Fishing in Lightning to get the tips that could save your life.